Fassel found out an hour before he was set to lead a special-teams meeting Monday that Fisher had been fired after going 31-45-1 since becoming head coach of the Rams in 2012. He met with Fisher to get his blessing to take over for the final three weeks before sit-downs with team VP Kevin Demoff, general manager Les Snead, and the team’s medical staff. Fassel then oversaw an hour-long walk-through as the Rams began on-field preparations to face the NFC West leaders.

Fassel did not even have time to let his father, former Giants head coach Jim Fassel, know he was now in charge of an NFL team.

“A lot has happened in a little amount of time,” said Fassel, who has been the Rams’ special-teams coordinator for five seasons. “It will be an interesting couple days. It happened fast. Football, you got to be able to adapt and react and this is one of those situations you can’t ever really prepare for.”

Sherman poo-poos Thursday games: Count Richard Sherman among the NFL players who are not fans of having to play on Thursday night.

Sherman expressed his displeasure with the weeknight games Tuesday, calling them an “absolute poopfest.”

“Congratulations NFL you did it again, but they’ve been doing it all season. We’re the last ones to get the middle finger,” said Sherman, who has been vocal in his belief that scheduling Thursday night games clashes with the NFL’s call for improved player safety. “It’s hypocritical. They make this huge stance about player safety and then they put the players in tremendous danger.”

Briefly: Kick returner Devin Hester has been cut by the Ravens after the four-time Pro Bowler struggled in his first season with the team. Hester returned only 25 punts and fumbled four times. ... Dolphins center Mike Pouncey has been placed on season-ending injured reserve because of hip injury that limited him to five games this year. Miami also signed quarterback T.J. Yates in the wake of starter Ryan Tannehill’s knee injury. Yates last played in 2015 with Houston, making two starts. ...The Bengals released kicker Mike Nugent during the worst slump of his 12-year career and acquired former Steelers kicker Randy Bullock off waivers.

Playoff scenarios

AFC

The Patriots (11-2) can clinch the AFC East with a win or Miami loss and can clinch a bye with some additional help.

The Chiefs (10-3) can secure a playoff berth with a victory Sunday or a Denver loss and a loss by either the Ravens or Steelers.

The Raiders (10-3) can end their lengthy playoff drought with a win or a Dolphins loss combined with other games.

NFC

The only team to clinch a postseason spot thus far is the Dallas Cowboys (11-2). The Cowboys secure the NFC East title and a first-round bye with a win and a Giants loss.

The Lions (9-4) can clinch the NFC North with a win and a Packers loss.

The Seahawks (8-4-1) can take the NFC West with a win Thursday night against the Rams.